Information

After the fall of the Soviet Union most of the kindergartens were closed. More and more children grew up in the streets. Between 1997 and 2007 Roman Catholic Church established 9 kindergartens in Transcarpathia. Today the situation is better but even now 70% of children can't go to kindergartens because of the lack of them. Besides moral upbringing that the children get in our kindergartens it is also a good possibility for parents to have a job alongside with it. In most cases the children come from poor families and the Caritas pays particular attention first of all to these families and tries to help them.

1. The kindergarten named after "St. Catherina"in Fanchika (near Vinogradovo).

The foundation of this kindergarten was organized thanks to p.Tihamer OFM (missioner priest from Hungary). The house was bought with the help of Austrian and French organizations. The kindergarten was opened in September 2003 with 25 children. From 2003 and 2008 its functioning was sponsored by many foreign organizations. From the beginning of 2007 the state began to support wages of workers which is 55 % of all costs. More and more children want to go to this kindergarten so the number of them rose in 2007 for 40 and in 2008 for 62 children. There was a need to extend the place too. For this purpose the Roman Catholic Church gave a part of its parish building. And in the next year the Protestant Church also gave a part of its parish building. (This parishes stands near the kindergarten). 14 workers work here. Costs: 2,85 EUR/child/day.

2. The kindergarten named after "St. Francis" in Korolevo (near Vinogradovo).

The foundation of this kindergarten was organized thanks to p.Paul OFM (missioner priest from Hungary). The kindergarten was established in 1998 in a part of the Roman Catholic parish building (they got it back from the state in 1996) with 25 children. From 1998 to 2008 its functioning was sponsored by many foreign organizations. From the beginning of 2007 the state began to support wages of workers which is 60 % of all costs. More and more children want to go to this kindergarten so the number of them rose in 2007 for 40 children. This year windows and doors were changed. 14 workers work here. Costs: 3,37 EUR/child/day.

3. The kindergarten named after "St. Joseph" in Vinogradovo.

The foundation of this kindergarten was organized thanks to p.Tihamer OFM (missioner priest from Hungary). The kindergarten was established in 1998. A house particularly for this purpose was given from the state and now the owner of it is Caritas in Vinogradovo. From 1998 to 2008 its functioning was sponsored by many foreign organizations. From the beginning of 2007 the state began to support wages of workers which is 60 % of all costs. Now the number of children is 50 but more and more children want to go to this kindergarten so from the 2009 year we will open another group. 12 workers work here. Costs: 2,60 EUR/child/day.

4. The kindergarten named after "St. Elizabeth" in Bustino

The foundation of this kindergarten was organized thanks to Mikuljak Laslo director of Caritas in Tjachiv. A house for this purpose was bought from the state and now the owner of it is Roman Catholic Parish in Bustino. It was established in 2001. From that time until now it is functioning from foreign donations. Here are 42 children. 13 workers work here. 3,78 EUR/child/day. The state support is 0%.

5. The kindergarten named after "St. Anna" in Solotvino.

The foundation of this kindergarten was organized thanks to p.Domonkos (missioner priest from Hungary). Kindergarten was established in 2002 in a part of the Roman Catholic parish building. From that time until now it is functioning from foreign donations. Here are 45 children. 14 workers work here. 2,85 EUR/child/day. The state support is 0%.

Velykyj Bychkiv is situated in Rahiv region with the population of 10000 people. In 1996 the Caritas, which consisted of 14 members, was founded here. Its activity derives from the needs of the defenceless classes of society. In the after-flood period Caritas took an active part in giving help to the people who had suffered from the disaster. Speaking about the activity of the organization in details, we can also mention taking care of the sick and old people, as well as the orphans. Having received consignments of humanitarian help, we divide them between those who need it. Our activity is rather many-sided as people have different problems. The foundation of the kindergarten was organized thanks to p.Domonkos (missioner priest from Hungary). In 2000 Caritas opened a kindergarten with Hungarian as well as Ukrainian languages of teaching. Although there were 4 state kindergartens, because of the lack of funds these establishments didn't work, except one, which was open for only 2 months in a year. Caritas decided to undertake this case, being aware of the fact that this program would be supported by some Hungarian funds, besides the town-council had promised to finance the salaries of the staff. The representatives of the local government have given the Caritas a house, in which a kindergarten (now closed) once worked. It became the property of the Caritas. With the help of foreign sponsors the kindergarten had been rebuilt. As a result 9 workplaces were created in the region, where the level of unemployment is rather high. This is the 8-th year the kindergarten is working. Today children are studying here. The kindergarten provides good conditions, the children eat 3 times a day. Unfortunately in April 2005 the local government stopped paying salaries without any reason. As a result workers during 3 months did not get wages. We had to reinforce the financial assistance from foreign sources, but we hope it's only a temporary solution. We try to settle and develop a good relationship with the local government. But, in case we continue to face misunderstandings from part of the local bodies, we will point out larger amounts from social donations and also increase the contributions of parents. Costs: 2,9 EUR/child/day. The state support is 0%.

7. The kindergarten named after"Paduai St. Anotny" in Kobileckaja Poljana (near Rachiv).

The foundation of this kindergarten was organized thanks to p.Domonkos (missioner priest from Hungary). The house for this purpose was given from the state and now the owner of it is Caritas in Kobileckaja Poljana. The kindergarten was established in 2001. By the agreement the town-council promised to finance the salaries of the staff and all other things was the task of Caritas (food, overhead, renovations etc). This final things were financed by foreign donations. Unfortunately in April 2005 the local government stopped paying salaries without any reason. As a result workers during 5 months did not get wages (In most cases these workers were the only ones in their families who had work). It was a very difficult time. Help came from Franciscan Mission Fund (Hungary) and after years they now finance the salaries but it is an uncertain situation and we depend only on God's will. Now the number of children is 25. 9 workers work here. Costs: 4,52 EUR/child/day. The state support is 0 %.

8. The kindergarten in Akli (near Vinogradovo).

The foundation of this kindergarten was organized thanks to p. Paul OFM (missioner priest from Hungary). The kindergarten was established in 1997. The owner of the building is the state and we can't pay for the overheads. From 1997 to 2008 its functioning was sponsored by many foreign organizations. From the beginning of 2002 the state began to support wages of workers which is 60 % of all costs. Now the number of children is 15. 7 workers work here. Costs:. 2,46 EUR/child/day.

9. The kindergarten in Jasigna.

The foundation of this kindergarten was organized thanks to Franz Ignats, director of Caritas in Jasigna. The kindergarten was established in 2007. A house was built with the help of foreign organizations and now the owner is Roman Catholic Parish in Jasigna (a school also works in this house). The state supports wages, overhead and food too. Caritas must care about renovations. Because Jasigna is located on wide area director of Caritas carries most of the children on line house-kindergarten-house by microbus each day (32 km/day). There are 44 children here. 9 workers work here.